Liverpool and Atletico Madrid opened the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League marketing campaign with a dramatic conflict that led to controversy surrounding Diego Simeone, who was concerned in a heated confrontation with residence followers. After securing the win, Reds supervisor Arne Slot weighed in with a pointed remark: “If I react, I do know what the Spanish media will write.”
Liverpool jumped to an early 2-0 lead earlier than Atletico stormed again with two targets from Marcos Llorente. However simply because the match appeared destined for a draw, Virgil van Dijk netted the winner in stoppage time to seal a 3-2 victory. The outcome, nevertheless, was overshadowed by Simeone’s dismissal after a conflict with a supporter seated behind the visiting bench.
After the match, Simeone addressed the incident. “There have been insults all through the entire sport, however I do know the one who has to stay calm is me. I’ve to endure the whole lot — insults, gestures, all of it. They insult you your complete sport from behind and you’ll’t say something, as a result of I’m the coach. My response to the insult is just not justifiable, however folks don’t perceive what it’s prefer to be insulted nonstop for 90 minutes,” he informed Movistar.
The Argentine elaborated additional in his press convention: “We’re able the place we don’t have the correct to react, and it’s not proper after we do as a result of we’re protagonists. However simply as we battle in opposition to racism and insults towards gamers, the benches are proper subsequent to the stands, and it’s not simple to take care of insults for your complete sport. Then got here the third aim, and along with the insults there was additionally a gesture — and I’m human.”
Diego Simeone, Head Coach of Atletico de Madrid, clashes with referee Maurizio Mariani in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid.
Simeone declined to specify the character of the insults however admitted remorse for his response, noting he had endured fixed abuse from close by supporters all through the match. Atletico’s subsequent Champions League fixture comes on the thirtieth in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt, and if his suspension is upheld, Simeone won’t be on the sidelines.
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Slot addresses Simeone’s controversy
Arne Slot celebrated van Dijk’s late winner, which added to a string of slim one-goal victories this season. Nonetheless, he lamented his staff’s missed alternatives to place the sport away earlier. But within the aftermath, Simeone’s confrontation with followers dominated the headlines, overshadowing Liverpool’s heroic end.
The Dutchman was requested in regards to the incident in his post-match press convention and gave a measured response: “It’s tough for me to react on as a result of I don’t know what occurred precisely right this moment. He was nearer to the state of affairs than I used to be, so it’s unimaginable for me to react on that. If I react on that, I already know what the Spanish media goes to put in writing.”
As an alternative, Slot tried to redirect the main focus to the soccer itself. “I believe they need to write about two groups with nice mentality preventing till the top. Atletico got here again, we scored the 3-2. That’s what I believe the sport needs to be about, as a result of it was an ideal sport to observe,” he concluded.
